Distance Learning ProgramDistance learning, many educators believe, is the wave of the future. Distance learning means what it says: it is a method of delivering classes to students who aren’t physically present in a classroom. Because a distance learning program is, above all else, flexible, there is no single model as to how course work is offered.
There are two types of institutions that offer distance learning programs. The first are brick-and-mortar schools that have historically served a population of students who attend class on campus. Early on, some of these schools became intrigued with the possibilities of offering programs to students who were too far away or had too many obligations to make it to scheduled classes. These schools have been offering distance learning programs for several decades. More and more frequently, other institutions of higher learning have joined their ranks as technological advancements have made teaching and learning at a distance increasingly feasible. The second type of institution offering distance learning programs is a relatively recent development. These schools are designed exclusively around a distance learning model. Their curriculum and teaching methods have not been “translated” from the traditional model, but have been specifically created with the needs of the distance learner in mind. Whether the school is a virtual one or composed of brick and mortar, it may offer entire programs of study that can be completed at a distance. Brick-and-mortar schools are more likely to limit options so that only certain classes may be done independently from start to finish, while requiring that the remaining classes in a program of study be taken on campus without a distance learning option. In the United States, a greater percentage of distance learning programs are delivered via the internet, but there are other possibilities. For example, prisoners who want to use their incarceration to earn a degree so they can better their lives once their sentences are up, are often not given the option of online study. For these individuals, as well as for students who live in remote areas without online access, a correspondence model is the best method of information delivery. Students are mailed texts, handouts, videos, or other materials, as well as their assignments. As they complete each unit of study, they send the work back in to the school where an instructor grades it, then prepares the next set of materials. In some parts of the world, other approaches are popular. For example, in some areas of India, distance learning is largely accomplished through televised programs presented at learning centers. Students who are far too distant from college or university campuses still have a chance to “attend” classes by visiting the learning centers. While non-internet methods of delivery are useful in some situations, as the internet spreads across the globe and technology makes learning online easier and easier, there’s little question that this will become the preferred method of distance learning in the foreseeable future. Distance learning programs that are offered via the internet sometimes include synchronous interactions in which classmates and the instructor are in multiple locations but all online together to participate in a class dialogue or for a learning session. These also may be delivered via a webinar, using audio without visual components, or through live chats. Online learning typically also employs asynchronous learning. Examples of this include materials posted by the instructor that are used by the students at different times and at their convenience, assignments given for a discussion board that are completed and posted as each student chooses, and email correspondence. Distance learning programs serve multiple populations that might not otherwise be able to earn a certificate or degree. Working people who can’t afford to abandon a steady paycheck or give up the health insurance are perfect candidates. As long as they are able to manage their time well, a distance learning program means they can attend school while continuing to work. Setting aside a few hours a week can help them work toward a degree that will ultimately permit them to advance faster and further than they could ever hope to otherwise. Immigrant students who could easily become lost and confused in a classroom where the instructor tosses out unfamiliar terms and other students keep up a lively chatter find that working independently allows them to return to material as often as necessary to master it. Parents who are not willing to let their children be raised by babysitters can work on school when the children are otherwise occupied. People who travel frequently have the convenience of studying from any part of the world, as long as they’ve got computer access. Some people question the quality of education offered by distance learning programs. Most students report that learning on campus and learning online or through correspondence might require different approaches, but that the material made available to the student is similar, as is the degree of instructor involvement. It’s always important to eliminate programs that aren’t accredited. Although accreditation isn’t required of colleges and universities, it is a method for measuring quality. Schools that offer certifications or degrees that aren’t backed up by a reputable accreditation agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation for the most part aren’t worth your time or money. Furthermore, graduating from these schools won’t earn you special attention from an employer. It’s also a good idea to see if the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) has evaluated the program or school. |
Programs that involve distance learning might be completely virtual, meaning students can do everything from register to graduate without ever stepping foot on campus. Alternatively, they might be hybrid or web-enhanced. These types of programs require students to visit the campus for a variety of reasons. For example, some hybrid classes meet twice a week in theory, just as their classroom counterparts do in actuality. One of these class meetings might be held on campus where students are in front of a flesh and blood instructor. The other class period, however, is up to each individual student to fulfill. Students are given materials to study and learn, as well as assignments to complete on their own. Another type of hybrid class might require students to visit campus only a few times, to take examinations and to attend a workshop, for example, or to spend time working with laboratory equipment.